Posted: 6/12/02

Longtime school administrator Bob Juhl, 68, dies

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

As a school business manager, Bob Juhl was always making plans for school budgets and building projects. Even in retirement, Juhl loved to make plans.

He loved to plan trips and family outings, said his wife Mary. He was still making plans last week when he went into the hospital for heart valve replacement surgery.

Post-surgery complications could not be reversed and Juhl died on Tuesday, June 4. He was 68.

ìThere were many things that he still planned to do,î his wife said.

Juhl had retired from his job as director of business affairs for ISD 831 in June of 1997. Six months later he underwent heart bypass surgery.

ìMy life was organized,î Mary Juhl said, recalling her life with a school business manager. ìHe was a good dad, a good husband.î

In all, Juhl spent 39 years in public education, including 31 years as a business manager. He retired here after working 27 years as the districtís top business official.

Juhlís son, David, said his father always looked out for the interests of students first as he went about making decisions that impacted education.

ìIn any of the decisions he made, he always considered what would be best for kids,î David Juhl said, adding, ìThe reason you are there is to take care of the kids academically.î

Mahnomen native

Robert Juhl was born in Mahnomen on April 17, 1934. He graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1952.

He attended Moorhead State College and joined the Naval Reserves while in college. He moved to active duty in the Navy in 1954 and served in Japan. He was released from active duty in 1956 and came back to Moorhead to finish his teaching degree in business education.

He married Mary Opatz of Fergus Falls on Aug. 23, 1958.

Juhl taught for two years in Wyndmere, ND from 1959-1961, and two years in Wahpeton, ND from 1962-64, before moving to Oakes, ND, as principal. He had earned his masterís in education administration from North Dakota State University in Fargo.

After spending two years in Oakes, he moved back to Wahpeton where he was the school districtís business manager from 1966 to 1970 when he accepted his position in Forest Lake.

During his years in Forest Lake, he was a member of American Legion Post 225 and the Forest Lake Lions Club.

Funeral details

A funeral service for Robert Juhl was Saturday, June 8 at St. Peterís Catholic Church in Forest Lake, with interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons David, Alex, Steven (Arleen) and Chris; two grandchildren; one sister, Shirley (Duffy) Gerhardson; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

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